16 great things to do on Lower Clapton Road

In 2002 a spate of killings on the stretch of road connecting Hackney Central in the south to Stamford Hill in the north gave Lower Clapton Road the name ‘Murder Mile’. It’s almost unfathomable how much things have changed since then. Spiralling house prices and rapid gentrification have made Lower Clapton Road ‘hot’ in a totally different way to the bad old days.

It has the appeal of Hackney’s best bits, without the downsides: it’s got a relaxed, neighbourhood feel, but without the insanely priced boutiques of nearby Stoke Newington; the bar and restaurant scene is as lively as Dalston’s, but without the hordes ascending from the Overground for a mad night out. You’re a five-minute walk from Hackney Downs, but that green space comes without the barbecue smoke that hangs over London Fields. It’s young and creative, but it has a multicultural feel (for now): Caribbean takeaways sit side-by-side with upmarket sushi bars and you’ll be spoiled for choice if, like me,you’re always down for fried chicken.

It’s the best part of Hackney, in my opinion – and I’ll admit, it’s tempting not to shout about it in case it gets overrun. You should probably visit. But get there quick: this part of London is changing seriously fast.